iCITY To Open Tech Hub In Olympic Park After London 2012

The Olympic Press and Broadcast Centres are set to become a technology hub, creating thousands of jobs in creative industries after iCITY was named as the preferred bidder for the facilities by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).

iCITY will occupy the buildings after the conclusion of this summer’s Olympic Games and says it plans to build on the success of East London’s flourishing digital and creative industries and bring together startups, investors and communities.

More than 6,500 jobs are expected to be created and £340 million generated for the local economy each year.

Olympic Legacy

“We are delighted that iCITY has been selected as Preferred Bidder for the legacy use of the Press and Broadcast Centres on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,” said Gavin Poole, CEO of iCITY. “This is a unique opportunity to cement Britain’s position as a global leader in innovation and the creative industries.”

“iCITY will provide a sustainable legacy for the local community through the creation of thousands of jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities,” he added. “The incredible track record of start-ups and entrepreneurs in East London is growing at an impressive rate, and this is a chance to provide additional connectivity, capacity, investment and highly advanced infrastructure. I am hugely excited that work can now begin on turning that vision into a reality.”

It says that the press and broadcast centres are two of the most “digitally connected buildings in the world” and plans to double the government’s investment to deliver some of the most advanced digital infrastructure in the UK and Europe. It will be backed by a data centre provided  by iCITY partner Infinity, whose other achievements include a step towards a low-carbon economy with a data centre powered by methane.

The centre will also include media studios, digital academy and a new business incubator to become a technology cluster “of international significance.” Loughbrough University will also open a postgraduate and research education centre at the facility.

The prospect of a “world class centre of innovation and enterprise” has been welcomed by Hackney Council, which has called it a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” iCITY will become a hub for the local community, with a pedestrianised square hosting cafe’s restaurants and bars.

“Hackney Council’s vision has always been that these buildings should be a hub for digital and creative industries, and create high-end local jobs, and this decision is a vote of confidence in that vision,” said Pipe. “The site has some of the best digital connections in the UK and huge amounts of affordable work space in an area where creative business already thrives. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for businesses to join get in at the beginning, and be a part of London’s Olympic legacy.”

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